Cable Matters VGA to HDMI Adapter for Monitor and TV (VGA to HDMI Converter) with Audio Support
Bottom line: The Cable Matters VGA to HDMI Adapter ($19.99 on Amazon as of 2026-10-06): Converts analog VGA to HDMI up to 1080p full HD; main trade-off: HDMI cable is not included and must be bought separately.
As an Amazon Associate, SpecPicks earns from qualifying purchases. Full disclosure →
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Pros & Cons
Pros
- ✓ Converts analog VGA to HDMI up to 1080p full HD
- ✓ Integrated 38-inch USB cable embeds audio into the HDMI stream
- ✓ Supports SVGA 800x600, XGA 1024x768, and UXGA 1600x1200 modes
- ✓ Gold-plated connectors with a short 5-inch VGA tail
Cons
- ✗ HDMI cable is not included and must be bought separately
- ✗ Caps out at 1080p, so no 1440p or 4K output
- ✗ Audio requires a free USB port plus Windows Sound menu setup
- ✗ Direction is VGA-to-HDMI only, not reversible for HDMI sources
Manufacturer description
The Cable Matters VGA to HDMI Adapter solves a problem every retro PC builder eventually hits: a machine with nothing but an analog VGA output and a modern display that only speaks HDMI. This active converter takes the 15-pin VGA signal from a legacy desktop, laptop, or industrial PC and outputs it over HDMI to an HDTV, monitor, or projector at resolutions up to 1080p full HD, with SVGA (800x600), XGA (1024x768), and UXGA (1600x1200) modes supported along the way. Audio is handled through an integrated 38-inch USB cable that embeds sound into the HDMI stream, so you get picture and audio on…
SpecPicks Verdict
SpecPicks scored Cable Matters VGA to HDMI Adapter using a rating × review-volume × price-fit model applied to published specs and reviews across the retro graphics & video category. Cable Matters's retro graphics & video lineup sits within the broader category mid-tier; price and specs are the deciding factors over brand loyalty here. Judge it on the specification table and the price rather than on sentiment: check the figures that decide your use case, then put it side-by-side with two or three close alternatives in the Compare tool before clicking through.
Common buyer scenarios for retro graphics & video of this kind: matching it to an existing build, replacing a failing part, or upgrading from a previous-generation equivalent. Check the spec table below against your current setup — particularly socket / form-factor / power-rating fields — and confirm compatibility on the retailer's listing before purchase. Prices and stock are set by the retailer and may have moved since this page was last updated.
Frequently Asked Questions
Do I need to buy an HDMI cable separately?
Yes. The adapter provides the HDMI output port, but Cable Matters does not include an HDMI cable in the box, so plan on supplying your own.
Will this adapter carry sound to my TV?
It will. A 38-inch USB cable is integrated into the adapter and embeds audio alongside the video over HDMI. On Windows, open the Sound menu and select the adapter as the output device.
What is the highest resolution this VGA to HDMI converter supports?
1080p full HD is the ceiling. Lower modes including 800x600 (SVGA), 1024x768 (XGA), and 1600x1200 (UXGA) are also supported.
Can I use it the other way around, from HDMI to VGA?
No. This is a one-direction VGA to HDMI converter, taking analog VGA in from your computer and sending HDMI out to the display. An HDMI source will not work through it.
Key Features
- VGA to HDMI cable adapter connects a laptop or desktop with a VGA port to an HDTV, monitor or projector with HDMI input; An HDMI cable (sold separately) is required for this VGA HDMI adapter
- Video resolution support up to 1080 full HD and below including 800x600 (SVGA), 1024x768 (XGA), and 1600x1200 (UXGA); Find a compatible video resolution between your computer and display
- USB audio supportwith an integrated USB cable on the VGA adapter to HDMI converter that embeds the audio along with the video over HDMI; Digital USB audio can be configured from the Sound menu in Windows to output the audio to the connected display
- Legacy VGA monitor cable to HDMI provides a convenient solution for connecting from an analog VGA computer port to the latest displays with HDMI input
- Superior construction of the VGA HDMI cable adapter combines gold-plated connectors with a 5-inch VGA cable tail and a 38-inch integrated USB cable
Full Specifications
| Brand | Cable Matters |
|---|---|
| Color | black |
| Finish | Hdmi,Projector |
| Unit Count | 1.0 Count |
| Connectivity | USB |
| Model Number | 103070-BLACK |
| Input Voltage | 5 Volts |
| Warranty Type | Limited |
| Connector Type | VGA, HDMI |
| Item Dimensions | 7.4 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches |
| Mfr Part Number | 103070-BLACK |
| Number of Items | 1 |
| Number of Ports | 3 |
| Power Plug Type | No Plug |
| Compatible Devices | Desktop, Laptop, Monitor, Projector, Television |
| Smart Home Compatibility | Not Smart Home Compatible |
| Item dimensions L x W x H | 7.4 x 5.7 x 0.7 inches |
| Specific Uses For Product | personal |
| Global Trade Identification Number | 00081159810115 |
Ready to buy?
Cable Matters VGA to HDMI Adapter for Monitor and TV (VGA to HDMI Converter) with Audio Support is listed on Amazon. Price, availability, shipping and returns are set by Amazon and its sellers — check the listing for current terms. SpecPicks earns a small commission on qualifying purchases — thank you for supporting independent review work.
*Price sourced from Amazon.com. Last updated 2026-10-06. Price and availability subject to change.
Related Retro Graphics & Video
More guides & deep dives from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all articles & guides →- The Complete Voodoo5 5500 AGP Driver Guide (2026 Edition)
- Best Budget Gaming PC Build 2026 — ~$1,000 ($800 on Sale)
- Best Retro Handhelds in 2026 — From $35 to $500
- How to Build a Windows 98 Retro PC in 2026
- Best 1440p Gaming GPUs in 2026
- RTX 4070 Super vs RX 7800 XT — Which to Buy in 2026
- Emulation Hardware in 2026: FPGA, Software, and Cart-Reader Ecosystems
More reviews from the SpecPicks archive
Browse all reviews →- Sound BlasterX G6 on a Retro Windows XP Rig: USB Audio for Period-Correct Builds
- GPU & CPU Upgrade ROI: Cost-per-FPS Calculator Guide
- Best 4K Monitor Under $300 for RTX 3060 12GB Gaming in 2026
- Glide on Modern PCs: dgVoodoo2 + nGlide for 3dfx-Era Games (2026)
- Best CPU Cooler for the Ryzen 7 5800X: NH-U12S vs ML240L vs AIRCOM S7
- Grok Imagine 1.5 Brings 720p Image-to-Video — Can You Run It Locally?
- RetroArch PS3 Emulation: What Actually Works in 2026
- Air vs AIO for the Ryzen 7 5800X: is the Noctua NH-U12S enough?
- Best Storage for a Raspberry Pi Homelab: SATA SSD over USB vs microSD
- Qwen 3.6 35B GGUF: NTP vs MTP Quantization Explained
- Ryzen 5 2600 vs Ryzen 7 5800X for CPU-Only Qwen3 30B-A3B (2026)
- RTX 3090 24GB vs RTX 4060 Ti 8GB in 2026: Used VRAM or New Efficiency?
- gpt-oss 20B vs Phi-4 14B on a 12 GB GPU: Which One Actually Fits?
- Raspberry Pi 4 8GB in 2026: Still the Best Home-Lab SBC for Under $80
- Can the RTX 3060 12GB Still Game at 1440p in 2026?
- Best SSD for a Local LLM Model Library in 2026: Capacity vs Load Speed
- Raspberry Pi AI HAT+ (26 TOPS): What It Actually Runs in 2026
- Asus ROG Xreal R1 AR glasses pre-orders start today at $849 — 240 Hz virtual gaming at 171 inches on PC…
- Best Force-Feedback Racing Wheel for PC in 2026: G29 vs HORI vs Thrustmaster
- Google's 'Frozen v2' Chip Bakes Gemini Into Silicon: What It Means for Local Rigs
- Build a Self-Updating 24/7 FM Radio Station on a Raspberry Pi Zero W
- AI-Driven Win98 Voodoo3 Driver Recovery on a Raspberry Pi 5 Companion
- Homelab Month One: Raspberry Pi 4 or a Ryzen 5 Mini-PC?
- Qwen 3.8 vs Kimi K3: Which Open-Weight Model Fits a 12GB Rig?
Earliest SpecPicks reviews
Browse full archive →- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 8B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 14B (2026)
- Best GPU for Qwen 3 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 70B (2026)
- Best GPU for DeepSeek-R1 32B (2026)
- Best GPU for Llama 3.1 405B (2026)
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 14B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Qwen 3 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 70B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run DeepSeek-R1 32B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 5090
- How to run Llama 3.1 8B on NVIDIA GeForce RTX 4090